Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is dealing with the fallout from a devastating stampede outside the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium on June 4, during their IPL title celebrations. The event resulted in the loss of eleven lives and over fifty injuries.
Mo Bobat, RCB’s Director of Cricket, stated the team’s commitment to honoring the memory of the victims as part of the team’s identity. He expressed the team’s sorrow over the loss and highlighted the crucial role of the fans.
The stampede occurred due to a large crowd exceeding the stadium’s capacity, combined with inadequate safety measures and collapsing barriers. RCB promptly offered compensation to the victims’ families and launched the “RCB Cares” fund.
A subsequent inquiry, led by Justice John Michael D’Cunha, declared the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium unsafe for large events, citing issues with infrastructure and crowd management. The report held RCB, their event partners, and the Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) accountable for the failures and recommended disciplinary action against implicated officials.
The stadium’s safety issues led to the removal of its hosting rights for the upcoming Women’s ODI World Cup 2025. The matches will now be held at the DY Patil Stadium in Navi Mumbai. The tragic events have highlighted the importance of safety, with Bobat stating that honoring the victims is now a fundamental responsibility for the team.